It's bad enough you're having a hard time fitting into those jeans without busting those britches, it's something else when a plant starts to bust out of it's own bark. Think of the bark of a tree like a pair of jeans. It's there to protect, adorn and make you look good.

But, if you start gaining a little weight, no matter what you do, those jeans won't be flattering, in fact, you just might bust out of them.

When the bark of a tree starts to split its britches, especially length wise, it's not due to its diet but rather an environmental condition.

The problem of trunk splitting is often due to warm, sunny winter days followed by drastic temperature drops at night.

Many young fruit and ornamental trees are affected by this condition. Treat by wrapping young, thin barked trees with tree wrap - available at your local nursery.

If you have no snow on the ground, add compost the base of the tree at least 4" thick.